BYU a Consensus Top 15 Team in Way-Too-Early 2026 Rankings

On Monday night, the 2025 college football season came to an end when Indiana took down Miami to win the national championship. Now that the 2025 season is in the rearview mirror, national outlets have put together their way-too-early top 25 rankings for the 2026 season.

BYU is a consensus top 15 team in those rankings, and some outlets have the Cougars in the top 10. BYU is ranked as high as no. 8 by one publication.

Sports Illustrated

SI national has BYU in the top 10 of their way-too-early rankings. Bryan Fischner notes BYU's returning experience and opportunity to make a splash when they host Notre Dame. Notre Dame is a consensus top 10 team in the these way-too-early rankings.

Ranking: #9

"Kalani Sitake’s team has come close to the CFP two years in a row. Can they break through the top 12 with a group of veterans in 2026? QB Bear Bachmeier has a chance to significantly improve as a passer going into his sophomore season, and the return of tailback LJ Martin is a huge boost to the continuity of a group that loses only a handful of starters. The schedule sees Arizona State and Notre Dame come to Utah and could point them back toward another Big 12 championship game appearance." - Bryan Fischer

Pro Football Focus

Ranking: #10

PFF has BYU in the top 10, just behind Ole Miss.

It’s never too soon to look ahead…

Early Top 10 Teams in College Football for the 2026 Season👀 pic.twitter.com/5sgCS1NPVY
— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 20, 2026

CBS Sports

Ranking: #12

"The Cougars should be Texas Tech's primary challengers (again) in the Big 12. The roster is among the most seasoned in the country, and with QB Bear Bachmeier and RB LJ Martin returning, the offense -- and the ability to rally from late-game deficits last season -- will certainly help next season on the road." - Brandon Marcello

FOX Sports

Ranking: #10

"After narrowly missing the College Football Playoff in 2025 with true freshmanBear Bachmeierat quarterback, the Cougars should feel they are only a few plays away from making their first playoff appearance." - RJ Young

ESPN

Ranking: #11

"The Cougars won 11 games or more for the second straight season, and their biggest victory might have been locking up coach Kalani Sitake, who turned down Penn State to remain at his alma mater. The Cougars have a good core of star players -- quarterbackBear Bachmeierand tailbackLJ Martinlead the way on offense. BYU signed a trio of experienced transfers to shore up its offensive line, and they'll help open holes for Martin, who led the Big 12 with 1,305 rushing yards in 2025. Two of the top three receivers must be replaced. Defensive coordinator Jay Hill and cornerbacks coach Jernaro Gilford left to join Kyle Whittingham's staff at Michigan. Sitake promoted special teams coordinator/defensive ends coach Kelly Poppinga to lead the defense; Boise State's Demario Warren was hired as cornerbacks coach." - Mark Schlabach

Yahoo Sports

Ranking: 15

"The Cougars lost defensive coordinator Jay Hill after Whittingham hired him at Michigan and replaced Hill with longtime assistant Kelly Poppinga. QB Bear Bachmeier should be even better in 2026 and getting leading rusher LJ Martin back for his senior year is a big boost." - Nick Bromberg

The Athletic

Ranking: 8

"BYU, 23-4 the past two seasons, will be loaded with returning production. Martin was Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, and Bachmeier was named Big 12 Freshman of the Year. The defense must replace two first team all-conference standouts, sack leader Jack Kelly and S Tanner Wall, but it got a huge addition in Uluave, who led Cal with 100 tackles. And Kalani Sitake just signed a top-25 recruiting class." - Stewart Mandel